Swedish folk singer and songwriter Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth, performs 7 p.m. April 27 at ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E. Sheridan Ave., in Oklahoma City. Tickets are $25, and go on sale 10 a.m. Central Time Oct. 26 at eventbrite.com.

The event is part of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma’s (ACM@UCO) continuing Metro Music Series celebrating the school’s 10th anniversary.

Matsson is often compared to Bob Dylan, both in ability and vocal style, and admits that he’s long been inspired by American folk artists like Dylan, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. That said, he’s no folk traditionalist. The classically trained guitarist, inspired by English guitarist and singer-songwriter Nick Drake, has developed an intricate playing style using various open tunings.

His 2019 tour comes on the heels of three months of touring — both overseas and stateside — selling out nearly three-fourths of his dates on a trek spanning from Germany to the Netherlands and Massachusetts to California.

His most recent project is the five-part series “When The Bird Sees The Solid Ground.” Each song is a new, original studio recording that includes the simultaneous release of an accompanying video directed by Matsson. The ongoing project is produced as the series progresses through winter 2018 in Sweden and the U.S., with Matsson splitting his time behind the microphone and camera.

Beginning March 9, he’ll release a song and video every month. Solo shows in support of “When The Bird Sees The Solid Ground” are planned in select cities worldwide, including the April 27 performance at ACM@UCO Performance Lab in Bricktown.

“It’s like receiving a video message from a friend who wants you to see his process unfold in real time, the more ragged the better,” NPR Music editor and reviewer Stephen Thomson said of the project. “Of course, for all his stated love of imperfections, Matsson’s actual performance is a thing of refined and impeccable beauty.”

While here, he’ll also participate in a free, public Q&A-style masterclass discussion with ACM@UCO executive director Scott Booker. Details on that event will be announced closer to the event date.

ACM@UCO’s Metro Music Series is sponsored by Oklahoma Gazette, Exchange Music, KOSU Radio, ArtWorks, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

For more information about ACM@UCO, visit acm.uco.edu.

ACM@UCO Metro Music Series

The 2018-2019 school year marks ACM@UCO’s tenth anniversary. To celebrate, it expanded its long-running Metro Music Festival into a yearlong event. The revamped Metro Music Series includes the High Noon Showcase, presenting free shows by ACM@UCO-tied music acts and tastemakers; its ACM@UCO Performance Lab series by regional and national touring acts; and a growing roster of masterclasses, clinics and workshops with industry leaders, many of which are open to students and the public.

Stay tuned for updates and announcements about even more concerts and events!